How David Bowie fans are coping with a newly Bowie-less world

David Bowie’s death on Sunday sent fans around the world into mourning, inaugurated a short-lived cottage industry in hasty front-page obituaries and may have contributed to a Labyrinth shortage on Amazon. In Toronto, all that grief found a focal point on Tuesday night when Holy Holy, a touring Bowie tribute band led by two of the late performer’s former collaborators, played a pre-scheduled show at the Opera House on Queen East. Fans who had bought tickets to the concert weeks ahead of time expecting a routine evening of nostalgia were suddenly plunged into an impromptu Bowie wake. We asked some of them how they’re coping with the loss.

(Image: Nam Phi Dang)

Marc Winegust, 22, film distributor from North York

“Everybody’s celebrating Bowie in their own way. I’m doing it in a Jewish heritage way, where it’s going to be this shloshim—30 days of just celebrating the legacy.”

“It was people like him that showed me you could go against the norm. I’ll do what I always do and listen to his music when I’m on the road. I don’t like to be sad when people pass. I like to celebrate their lives.”

“Last night I got out a load of old Bowie albums and listened to them on vinyl. I grew up in a small town where everyone went to work at the factory. It was a kind of predetermined future. Bowie was one of the people who said that, as long as you don’t harm anyone, follow your dream.”

Roz Baird, 52, executive director of an aboriginal anti-diabetes organization from St. Catharines

“I’m going to be wearing the same shirt for the next six years. That’s how I’m going to be honouring him. I slept in it last night. I put it on when I found out the news yesterday morning. He’s been the soundtrack of my life from grade seven to now. I never hung around anyone that didn’t like him.”